Meet The Team

Dria Price is originally from Chicago but has lived in Oxford long enough to claim it. She is currently farming in Oxford after successfully obtaining her master’s degree from the University of Mississippi and becoming a Registered Dietitian. Her interests include food insecurity, making comfort foods healthy, and making kids eat their veggies. She is the pastry chef of Gimbia’s Kitchen, co-founder of Justevia, a doula in her free time, and just about everything else.

Halima Salazar was born in Nigeria, where herbs are an essential part of the wellbeing of the people.  She grew up watching the elders in her community use herbs in various ways. Her grandfather was the local community herbalist and farmer and a chief, known for using herbs to heal members of the community. She grew up learning to enjoy the simple pleasures of turning herbs into tea and using it as means to have people gather together to enjoy the essence of community. She has an undergraduate degree in political Science and a minor in Business from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas and a certificate from Chef’s Academy in Abuja, Nigeria. She currently resides in Hernando , Mississippi where she grows her own herbs, similar to her grandfather.

Sarah Varble is the owner of Gnarled Oak Farm, a diversified livestock farm in Mississippi that sells meat direct to consumer. She is also the Director of Entrepreneurship at AgLaunch, assisting agtech start-ups with funding, business plans, and go-to-market strategies. Sarah has spent her career in ag, working directly with farmers in specialty crops and livestock. She has a Bachelors in Horticulture, a PhD in Environmental Resources and Policy and a Master's in Business Administration.

Will Reed is the co-founder of Native Son Farm in Tupelo, Mississippi. A cultural anthropology graduate, Will returned to his hometown in 2010 to build a sustainable, community-focused farm with his wife, Amanda. What began as a one-acre operation has grown into a thriving 20+ acre farm serving a CSA, local restaurants, and markets. Will is also active in regional food advocacy, promoting sustainable agriculture and local food systems in Mississippi.

Daryl Leven having retired from a 43 year corporate America career in manufacturing, sales,marketing and accounting, has been an urban farmer in Memphis, TN for the past 5 years. Daryl grows leafy greens and herbs on his indoor aquaponic farm to educate all on the benefits of sustainable agriculture and its impact on health and community. Daryl sells his food products at farmers markets and restaurants, while also collaborating with local non-profits to address healthy food scarcity. Daryl uses his well honed experience in leadership, marketing, and sales to help further the missions of Circles of Success Learning Academy, Girls Inc., Protect Our Aquifer, and The Cooper-Young Farmers Market.

Mina Ajiboye Pomante is a Nigerian-born CPA with a background in Accounting, Finance, and Agribusiness. She began her career at KPMG Dallas, completed her MBA at Texas A&M, and later worked on World Bank-funded public-private partnerships in Nigeria. Passionate about economic empowerment, she earned a Master's in Agribusiness in the U.S. and has held finance roles in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, including her current role at Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Through her work with Mutane and various volunteer efforts, Mina is committed to serving vulnerable communities and advancing Christ-centered outreach in Nigeria and the U.S.